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Wednesday, Dec. 02, 2009

Livingston council at stalemate with one member gone

LIVINGSTON -- The Tuesday night Livingston City Council meeting was the epitome of inaction.

Because of one absence -- Martha Nateras -- the divided body voted 2-2 on every item before it. Almost all of the eight agenda items were postponed or voted to a draw.

The council stalemated on a memorandum of understanding between the Merced Union High School District and the city regarding the improvements on Peach Avenue that have plagued city school district relations for almost a year.

"This has taken us about six months to finally come to this point," said Mayor Daniel Varela in frustration.

But Councilwoman Margarita Aguilar, who wanted more time for public comment on the plan, said, "Next month is not asking too much."

The council also failed to come to agreement on a policy governing absences. Aguilar floated the idea of taking away a council member's pay of $150 a meeting if they do not attend, but her only support came from Rodrigo Espinoza. Varela and Councilman Frank Vierra did not support the motion.

The council postponed a decision on a new Citizen's Service Committee until Jan. 5 as well because the committee's brainchild, Nateras, was absent.

The council also continued the decision on requirements for parking at a mixed-use building project downtown.

On top of the council's inaction, Espinoza continued what has become common at recent meetings. He pulled any warrants paid by the city he thought might be "fishy." For instance, a warrant that paid for Frisbees for local children was pulled and discussed. "To me it seems fishy," he said. Not all the warrants were a trifle. He also pulled a warrant for more than $81,000 in pay to the city attorney. Espinoza said the new attorney was put in place to legally back the water and sewer rate hikes and he did not want to pay for those legal fees. But like much of the meeting his efforts came to naught since the council was split two-to-two.

The next City Council meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5. Maybe then some decisions will be made.

Reporter Jonah Owen lamb can be reached at (209) 385-2484 or jlamb@mercedsun-star.com.